How do I get the latest updates for my Microsoft programs?

Because it's important that you receive important security updates as soon as they're available, Microsoft notifies you about these types of updates, automatically downloads them, and allows you to install them immediately, regardless of your Windows Update settings. When you installed Windows Essentials, you agreed to receive important updates in this way.

The only way to stop downloading these important updates is to uninstall Windows Essentials. If you choose not to install the downloaded updates, some features of installed Microsoft programs may no longer function.

You may get additional updates for Microsoft programs via the Microsoft Update service. Microsoft Update helps you get all of the latest updates for Windows Essentials and other supported Microsoft products without having to visit multiple websites.

For updates that are delivered using Microsoft Update, you can choose your automatic update settings. To review each recommended update before downloading and installing it, turn off automatic updates in Windows Update, and then manually check for updates.

To change your Windows Update settings

Go to Windows Update in Control Panel. (Click Start. In the search box, type
Windows Update, and then, in the list of results, click
Windows Update.)

In the left pane, click Change settings, and then choose the settings that you prefer.

To check for updates
manually

Go to Windows Update in Control Panel. (Click Start. In the search box, type
Windows Update, and then, in the list of results, click
Windows Update.)

In the left pane, click Check for updates. You can review or select from any available updates before installing them.

Note

It's a good idea to turn on automatic updating so that your computer can receive new updates as soon as they become available. However, if you choose not to use automatic updating, we recommend that you check for updates at least once a week.